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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5375, 19 June 1878, Page 2

Councillor Macdonald's motion anent the To Aro foreshore will come on for discussion at the .special meeting of the City Council to bo held at eight o’clock this evening. It is expected that the attendance of ratepayers will bo greater than is usual at a Council meeting. A special meeting of the City Council has been called for Thursday next by Councillors Moss, Allan, and Fisher, in reference ,to the nightsoil contract. A special meeting will also bo held on the 27th instant, for the adoption of standing rules and regulations.

Dr. Newman and Mr. G. M. Taylor, as members of the Athemumn Committee, waited upon the Premier yesterday by appointment, in reference to handing over the books in the Provincial Library (now the property of the General Government) to the ’Athemeum. The deputation was most courteously received by Sir George Grey, who said that the matter was under the consideration of the Government, and ho would bo able to give a definite answer shortly. Ho was himself very much in favor of the establishment of public libraries. Many of the books, papers, and other documents having relation to the history of the colony were scattered about in various places, and he thought it would conduce to the public benefit to have them all in one building, if arrangements could be made. Ho assured the deputation that the matter should meet witli every attention at tho hands of his colleagues and himself. Tho deputation having thanked the Premier for the courtesy with which he had received them, then withdrew.

His Honor the Chief Justice gave judgment yesterday in Rang! v. Sutton, upholding the demurrer. The judgment appears in another column.

The Ta'upo and Riugarooma, which were to have left Port Chalmers on Saturday, were unable to get out—being in fact bar-bound. The Taupo left at 3 a.m. on Sunday, and the Kingarooma at 4 p.m. on the same day. Yesterday a deputation of shipbuilders and shipwrights waited upon the Hon. Mr. Macandrew, Minister for Lands, to bring under his notice the position in which they would be placed when the proposed Te Aro reclamation was carried out. They would then have no water frontage, and would be unable to carry on their works. Mr. Macandrew expressed an opinion that when disposing of the land to be reclaimed provision should be made for securing water frontage for engineers, ship and boatbuilders, &c. A report of the deputation appears elsewhere. A meeting was held at Mrs. Power’s Albert Hotel last evening, Mi’. Kersey in the chair, when a Clerks' Association was formed, to be enrolled ultimately under the Benefit Societies Act. Several gentlemen gave in their names as members, and the meeting was adjourned until Tuesday next, when a large attendance is expected. This appears to be a step in the right direction, and well managed as to details, will no doubt prove a success. A meeting of the Wellington Athenmum Committee was held last evening, when a large number of applications for the respective offices of librarian and messenger were carefully considered. The committee were unable to decide finally, but they have selected five names for the office of librarian and six for that of messenger, and they have invited these eleven applicants to meet them at the Athenaeum on Saturday evening at 8 'o’clock, when a final decision will be made. Those parties who are not communicated with may take it for granted that their services will not be required. It is said that the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian congregation, who recently sold their church property on Lambton-quay for £IO,OOO, are going to erect not only a new church on the Terrace, but, they also propose spending £2OOO in the erection of a suitable building for a church in the Newtown District, the necessity for which in that rapidly increasing locality is admitted by all. The action of the St. Andrew’s congregation in coming forward so liberally with a portion of their surplus funds will doubtless be appreciated by the residents of Newtown and its vicinity. At a meeting of the Makara settlers for the election of a school committee (Mr. R. Robinson in the chair), the following gentlemen were elected:—Messrs. P. Trotter, J. MoLeary, W. Sievers, W. Cornford, R. Robinson, G. Monk, and J. Bowler. After the election the members proceeded to choose officers, when Mr. P. Trotter was elected as chairman; Mr. R. Robinson, treasurer; Mr. J. Bowler, secretary. A very peculiar robbery was committed on Monday by one or two men, who displayed considerable cunning in the way they set to week. A half-caste named Mary Anne Grimley, who lives in Courtenay-plaoe, left her house on Monday morning, and about midday a Maori woman named Harriett, who was stopping with her, also went out, having locked the house up. She went with some other Maoris to Emeny’s Hotel to have a drink, and while there two young men, who must have been on the watch, came into the publichouse. One asked Harriett for the key of the house, saying that he knew Mary Grimley very well, and had left something in a room which he wished to get. She believing the story gave up the key, and the men went away. When Mary Grimley returned to her house she found that the door leading from a skillion to the passage had been broken open, and on examination discovered that the following things were missing Two sets of earrings, a gold brooch, a silver watch, and £2 10s. in cash, which had been taken from a moneybox. The matter was reported to the police about .an hour after the robbery was discovered, and Harriett was able to give so good a description of the man to whom she handed the key that it was thought an arrest would soon be made. She said ho was a young fellow about 19 or 20 years of age, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, looked like a jockey, and was dressed in light trousers, a darker coat, and wore a drab hat with a dark band. She also said he had very small feet, and had no beard, moustache, or whiskers. Mr. Brown, who lives next door, said he saw a man jump the fence, go through his yard, and run away; but his attention being taken off by some person coming into his shop, he did not farther notice the matter until he heard of the robbery. Acting on the information he had received, Sergeant Smith arrested a man named Thomas Campbell on suspicion of being the thief. Campbell was identified by Harriett as the person to whom she gave the key, and Mrs, Emeny said he was one of two men who were talking to the Maoris in the hotel. Campbell denied the charge, and none of the stolen property was found upon him. We are given to understandthatan opposition to the present line of Wairarapa coaches will soon be started by Mr. Kennedy, who has been well known for a number of years as one of the best whips on that road, and who for a short period did the coaching between Wellington and Hox ton, after Mr. Hall left for Australia. Two American coaches have already arrived from Melbourne, and with the great increase in population which is taking place all over the Wairarapa, the new .venture will stand a good show of success. As soon as the summer season sets in, Mr. Kennedy contemplates extending the journey as far as the Eorty-Milo Bush.

Another of those very enjoyable entertainments that have been got up with the object of reducing the debt on the schools in Boul-cott-street conducted by the Marist Brothers, took place in the schoolroom last night. There was a very crowded attendance, and the entertainment passed off in a highly satisfactory manner. It was sustained by the Catholic Dramatic Class, assisted by several local amateurs ; and the Hibernian Band contributed several very excellent instrumental selections. “ Box and Cox ”, was made intensely amusing by Messrs. Gibbs, Davis, and Whittaker, in the respective parts of Cox, Box, and Mrs. •Bouncer. The songs rendered by the lady amateurs were in most cases vociferously encored, and the comic and sentimental songs given by the gentlemen amateurs were also very successful. The farces “ More Free than Welcome” and the “ Express Train” were also important features in the programme, and the audience seemed to enjoy the entertainment most thoroughly from beginning to end, judging from the hearty laughter and applause that the performances evoked. In a musical and dramatic senso the entertainment was a decidedly good one, and we are glad to say that it was likewise equally satisfactory in a pecuniary point of view. The Bijou Minstrels repeated their performance of Friday in the Odd Fellows’ Hall last night to a very full house. The entertainment was much better gone through than on the first occasion. The choruses in the first part were tar more harmonious, and the jokes by the corner men were given in a better style. The gentleman who manipulated on jthe tambourine gave a stump speech—“ What shall we do with the Time-gun.” The speech was full of funnyisms, and was really delivered in a most creditable manner. A banjo solo, several songs, and a negro sketch entitled “ Engaging Professionals,” brought a most enjoyable evening’s performance to a close. Mr. James Mclndoe, a well-known politician in the South, has written a pamphlet on Otago, and has very appropriately dedicated it to the Hon. James Macandrew, now Minister for Lands, &c., and “ the last Superintendent of the province of Otago.” We have not received a copy of the pamphlet, which is said to contain a good deal of interesting information. Messrs. T. K. Macdonald and Co. notify that they have been favored with instructions from clients in Australia and in England to find investments for £IOO,OOO, in freehold or leasehold property, at rates ranging from 7i per cent, to 16 per cent. The firm also gives notice that they are still prepared to arrange with capitalists to receive money tor investment at rates of interest to be fixed, and will also allow interest on the same whilst in their hands.

A meeting of the Makara Literary Committee was held on Monday night. It was stated that Mr. S. Lancaster was willing to give a donation of £5 out of his honorarium towards the funds. The president was directed to notify the willingness of the committee to accept it with thanks. The president was requested to apply for a share of the Government subsidy. Notice is given in our advertising columns that all books belonging to the library of the General Assembly are requested to be returned on or before Saturday, the 22nd inst., in accordance with the library regulations. The members of the Choral Society had a final rehearsal of “ Masauiello” lastnight. Mr. Ecus Marten conducted, aud Mr, Eouuiugtou led the orchestra.

A telegraph station is now opened at Longford, in the County of Inangahua. Several matters of importance will come before the Education Board at the special meeting to be held this morning.

It has been determined to take immediate steps for the erection of the new school for the Sisters of Mercy at Te Aro. Mr. Charles O’Neill has been instructed to prepare plans and call for tenders for the building. We have received a copy of a phrenological chart by Professor Fraser, the first of the kind, we are informed, which has been got up in New Zealand. Iff is published at Is., and will be found useful to students of the science.

At two o’clock yesterday afternoon special juries were drawn at the Resident Magistrate’s Court in the following cases, which are set down for trial at next nisi prius sittings ; Trustees in the estate of McKenzie v. Hannah, and McCredie v. Nathan.

The usual weekly meeting of the Wellington Literary Association was held last evening. The debate was on the subject, “ Was the execution of Charles I. justifiable After an animated discussion it was decided in the negative by a majority of one. Essays will form the programme for next evening.

The case of Gillon v. Macdonald and others was set down on the motion paper of the Supreme Court for to-day. As there was to be no sitting of the Court to-day, it was proposed to take the motion yesterday, but as that was not convenient to all parties, it was postponed, and will probably come on next Tuesday. At a meeting of the directors of the Wellington Patent Slip Company, held yesterday, the secretary reported that the subsidy had been paid by the Government, and he was instructed to pay the dividend as agreed to at the last general meeting. Mr. George Hunter was elected chairman of the board. The secretary stated that he had not received any offer for the s.s. Perfect Cure, which was still for sale.

In the case brought by Mrs. Hill against her husband for a protection order there was no appearance of either party when the case was called on yesterday, and it was accordingly dismissed. It is understood that Mrs. Hill will institute proceedings in the Supreme Court, with a view to obtaining that protection which it was beyond the jurisdiction of the Court below to confer, under the circumstances detailed in evidence.

A gentle excitement has been created by a statement that a breach of the building regulations has been suffered by the city authorities to be committed in covering a roof at the Museum reserve with shingles. It appears that the Corporation cannot prevent this, because Government reserves are not subject to the building regulations, being in fact excluded from the city just as much as if they were outside the boundaries. However, it might be well for the Government to act in conformity with the building regulations. The contractor for the alterations at the Odd Fellows’ Hall has erected a substantial temporary footpath and hoarding in front of the work in progress, so as to lessen the dangers to persons passing by, and prevent a recurrence of a similar accident to that which occurred a short time ago. to the boy Wyatt on Lambtonquay. We trust, that on all future occasions the City Surveyor will see that the municipal regulations in such cases made and provided shall be carried out as faithfully as by the contractors in this instance.

Mr. Clapcott, the chief agent of the Government Life Assurance, will give a lecture on the mutual or participatory principle of insurance, in the schoolroom attached to the Wesleyan Church, Adelaide-road, this evening. No charge will be made for admission. Mr. Clapcott s powers and experience as a lecturer are so well known that it is almost needless to add that the' subject is sure to be ably handled, and that the lecture will be well worth listening to. The lad Leonard Hancock was brought up at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, charged with stealing fivepence from the till of Mr. Davis’ shop, in Cuba-street, and was remanded for a week, in order that Mr. Crawford might communicate with the Government with a view to ascertaining what reformatorial institution in the colony the lad could be sent to. Hancock is a very intelligent lad, and appeared to be quite penitent yesterday. He admitted having taken the money from the till, and added that two other lads remained watching outside while he went in and abstracted the money. Mrs. Davis said she had previously missed as much as three and four pounds, and this seems to point to a systematic style of robbery on the part of Hancock and his undetected associates, if credence is to be placed in his statement that others were concerned in his'thefts. His father, who is a bricklayer by trade, appeared in Court, and informed the police that his son (who will not be ten years’ of age until next September) is quite unmanageable. Under these circumstances, the sooner the boy is sent to a reformatory the better it will be for society and himself, and a few years’ detention there will perhaps have the effect of permanently diverting him from 'the evil courses into which he has so prematurely fallen.

The Manawatn Times of the 15th inst. gives the following particulars of the recent fire on Mr. Aker’s farm :—A fire occurred on Tuesday night on the farm of Mr. Akers, Eiverdale, whereby a valuable wheat stack was entirely consumed. It appears that the family went to bed early, and about eleven o’clock were awakened by shouts and the blowing of a horn on the other side of the river. On running out they found that the noise had been made by Mr. Blonrad and seme others wishing to attract attention to the wheat stack being on fire. Although there were two other stacks, luckily they were separated by some distance, and so escaped destruction. As the house is situated at least four hundred yards from the scene of the fire, it is impossible a spark from the chimney could have been the cause of the disaster. Mr. Akers’ brother passed within twenty yards of the stack early in the evening, when all was right, and as he was the last person in the paddock, the origin of the fire is enveloped in mystery. In reference to the Forestry Department of Victoria the Melbourne Leader of the Ist inst. has the following :—lf all the red gum in the colony be cut down and exported, a thriving industry would be rained, and the colony deprived of a vast source of wealth. To prevent it an export duty has been imposed, and, like most new taxes, pinches someone who was meant to escape. The people in and about Eohuca engaged in the timber trade have found this out to their cost, and so have held a public meeting to procure the exemption of the “ waste” in sawing from the operation of the tax; and if a good case be made out, as appears to have been done, the Minister for Lands will have to give way. That a tax is required at all is due to the gross mismanagement of the forestry branch of this very department. It was created to manage the reserves of timber, to take care that that of small size was not cut, to select, plant, and administer, and it has done nothing—nothing worth talking about, and been well paid for it. The duty is the outcome of this neglect—the means of attempting to accomplish what it either could not or would not do. Provided the trade be not crippled, however, good may come out of evil. The forests of rod gum are not inexhaustible, and if the good people beyond our borders desire to make use of them and diminish the store, it is fair enough that they should contribute something towards replenishing them, for oven as regards red gum there must be sowing as well as reaping. The Minister of Lands will have to give further attention to this Echuea question, and endeavor to settle it finally, because there ought to be no difficulty in reconciling the public interests involved with the private. It it be established, as it appears to be, that the waste used to be utilised, and now cannot be on account of the duty, it looks very much as if the bond must be slackened. But there is a much larger question than this, and it must be faced. Some means must bo found of effectually preserving the forests, of preventing wanton destruction, and of providing for systematic planting on a liberal scale. If the forestry branch of the Lands Department be not fit for the work, and up to the present time it has signally failed, it should be replaced by something better, and without loss of time, because mischief goes on every day. The Bendigo Advertiser has been shown a letter written by Lord Byron to the editor of QalignanSs Messenger, Paris, and dated “Venice, 27th April, 1819.” The letter was written to contradict a statement that he was the author of a work which had just been published called “ The Vampire,” and is referred to in Moore’s “ Life of Lord Byron.” There can be no doubt, says the Advertiser, that the letter is genuine, and that it is a valuable literary curiosity, which would be highly prised in London.

The Chinese in Java increased in number from 95,000 in 1837 to 195,381 in 1875. The average Chinese immigration into Java is 1715 persons yearly.

The West Taieri correspondent of the Otayo Times informs that journal that the quantity of silt left on the grass by the late flood has spoiled all the winter pasture over a great portion of that district. In laud sown just before the flood the seed will have perished. Messrs. Wright, Stephenson, and Co., of Dunedin, sold at auction on the 13th inst. the leases of runs 92, 206 b, 300, and 301, situated in the Waitaki District, and comprising 62,000 acres, and carrying 20,900 sheep, to Mr, MoMaster, for the sum of £14,600.